Siewert: We need to fight for every inch in a “fiery atmosphere”

Almost exactly a week ago, Jan Siewert was still preparing 1. FSV Mainz 05’s U23s for their clash against Kickers Offenbach in the fourth division. This afternoon, the 41-year-old coach answered the media’s questions about FSV’s squad situation time ahead of a Bundesliga game for the second time in his press conference at the MEWA ARENA. On Saturday (15:30 CET), the 05ers are in action away at newly-promoted Darmstadt 98, where they, accompanied by 1,700 Mainz fans in the sold-out away section, want to overcome a fiery atmosphere and compete with the hosts. “They fight for every ball – whether that’s the first or the second ball. We need to embrace that because we’ve only won one game – everyone is aware of that,” Siewert said five days after the first league win of the season against Leipzig.

Tactical details and one-on-one conversations

The newly formed Mainz coaching set-up, which Dennis Lamby has also been a part of since joining on Wednesday, has now completed almost a whole week of training with the Mainz players. They have also used the time to deal with different subject areas. Siewert explained that a lot of energy has been noticeable during the daily training sessions following the first victory of the season. “It has been a good week up until now. The boys are adapting to what we want to see.” Mainz’s head coach added that, unlike in the 24 hours leading up to the Leipzig game, it has now also been possible to work in detail from a tactical perspective. Siewert has also had one-on-one conversations with every player, explaining that there were no alternatives “in order to listen in and gain an understanding of how each individual has found the current situation. It was about learning: ‘What can you contribute and how can I – or rather how can we support you?’,” explained Siewert, who has seen his prior positive impression of the squad confirmed and would like to work together with the team to make adjustments.

“We are clear in the way we want to play. There are lots of things that are well established in Mainz. That’s also suited me well from the beginning. It’s now crucial that we find ways to develop our game in possession and get into better shooting positions in front of goal.

Energy, intensity and a strong attitude needed at the Böllenfalltor – A glimmer of hope for Burkardt

However, Siewert has been unable to prepare his team for the expected atmosphere at the small, claustrophobic and loud Stadion am Böllenfalltor. “It’s going to be fiery, we need to embrace that. Darmstadt play directly. Every inch will be important. We will need the same energy, attitude and intensity that we had against Leipzig – I’m trying to make an example of that,” Siewert said ahead of the meeting with Mainz’s rivals in the table, who have picked up seven points so far this season. 

Alongside the general positive impression that Siewert has gained over the few days of training that he has overseen, he also had some positive personal updates. Whilst Brajan Gruda and captain Silvan Widmer are set for a return to the matchday squad at the weekend, Jonathan Burkardt was also back in team training with his teammates for the first time. “He really enjoyed it and brought energy to the group,” Siewert explained, but he also pointed out that we “need to see how his body handles things on a daily basis.” The academy graduate’s last competitive game came almost a year ago against Eintracht Frankfurt and he recently spoke about his hopes of being able to pick up his first minutes in the Bundesliga before the brief winter break. 

For now though, it’ll be down to other players to pick up important points in the relegation battle at Darmstadt. According to Siewert, this always involves two things: “We need to be guided by the potential of the players available. Getting the best out of your players can come down to how to set up, but it is often about moments of brilliance too. That’s what I fundamentally believe in.”